3 comments:

About 8(?) years ago it was a kind of thrift/antique shop that also sold ice cream. After it closed there would be a lot of construction that would stop and start over the years, without it ever looking like anything was really done. There have been occasional signs announcing a restaurant that would be "coming soon", but never did. It has been for rent for a while, my guess is that there are some structural problems with the place, or the landlord is indeed too crazy to deal with.

Raphael Soyer had a studio and residence there. A winery might have been in the basement. A piano repair facility located there. Metro Music located there for decades until the 1970's. An apron store had a short run. A new (not used ) appliance store lasted until around 1988. Rescued Estates a furniture and gift store with an ice cream section did business there until 1999. A local restaurateur was supposed to open a unique and exciting restaurant in 1999. In 2008 they decided it wasn't for them. There is no explanation for their conduct. During the interim, the building was reinforced with concrete and steel to withstand the tremors from ongoing construction. It is solid as a rock. Around 1988 the front door of the building had printed on it "SUPPORT BASTA." Basta was the neighborhood preservation organization founded by local living legend Howard Hemsley (no relation to Harry or Leona) that stopped the construction of a new shelter for crazies and criminals just two blocks from the infamous "Men's Shelter" at 8 East 3rd Street. Basta sued then Mayor Ed Koch & Co for the purpose of turning 8 East 3rd Street into a "shelter that works." Koch agreed and Project Renewal was born. Check it out. Next, Hemsley and his BASTA-rds returned Tomkins Park to the humans in the neighborhood. And finally, BASTA / Hemsley created the DAC (Democratic Action Club.) The DAC launched the candidacy of Antonio Pagan. They and he evicted the 18 year incumbent City Council member who allowed the city to place social service programs in the East Village that overwhelmed the residents and business people. Crazy supported Basta and the community. The store is for rent to the kind of tenant Crazy believes will be creative and exciting. Got guts? Wanna be your own boss? Call Crazy at 212-982-2030.

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